Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener member having a dual purpose cover sheet. The fastener member includes a base sheet, a plurality of engaging members projecting from the base sheet, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on an opposite surface of a base sheet, and a dual purpose cover sheet. The dual purpose cover sheet protects the adhesive layer of a first fastener member, and the engaging members of a second, underlying fastener member.

Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop fastening system composed of: 1) a backing material; and 2) a layer of a nonwoven spunbond web attached to the backing material, the nonwoven spunbond web comprising a plurality of continuous intertwined filaments, each having a diameter of about 25 to about 100 microns, the plurality of filaments laid randomly to define a plurality of intertwined loop springs, each having a diameter of about 0.5 to about 3 millimeters.

Abstract: A first foundation fabric having on its one surface a number of raised interlocking elements and a second foundation fabric having weft threads of monofilaments are woven or knitted integrally with each other by means of connecting threads. The first and second foundation fabrics are firmly and integrally united together by a synthetic resin layer to form a surface-type fastener having a thick foundation fabric. The surface-type fastener of the foregoing construction does not require a conventional sewing process, can therefore be produced efficiently, can readily be rolled up on a reel, obviates the need for a complicated inventory management which would occur when the first and second foundation fabrics are stocked separately in view of the dimensions and colors of the respective foundation fabrics, is able to prevent the first and second foundation fabrics from separating during use of the surface-type fastener, and hence continuously maintains the necessary strength throughout the service life.

Abstract: The creped nonwoven laminate loop material of the present invention includes a creped nonwoven layer attached to a support layer. The creped nonwoven layer may be, for example, a spunbond nonwoven web or a staple fiber bonded carded web. The support layer may be formed of any material that can be suitably attached or bonded to the creped nonwoven layer, including a foam, a plastic film or another nonwoven web. The exposed, top surface of the creped nonwoven layer includes raised "loop" areas having low fiber density and high z-directional fiber orientation that are designed to receive and engage the hook elements projecting from a hook material. The raised areas of the creped nonwoven layer are separated by non-raised areas having relatively higher fiber density and relatively lower z-directional fiber orientation when compared to the fiber density and z-directional fiber orientation of the raised areas.

Abstract: A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component has a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face. Carried on the fastening face is a pattern of fastening elements, comprising a main region carrying fastening elements. Substantially surrounding the main region is a bald region that is substantially free of fastening elements; and substantially surrounding the bald region, is a perimeter region that carries fastening elements. The bald region may be a rectangular annulus, as may be the perimeter region of fastening elements. The bald and perimeter regions may also be non-rectangular. The sacrificial perimeter fastening elements may be hooks or loops. Anchoring elements may be provided on the non-fastening face of the base. Rather than the bald region being one that surrounds the main region, it may bound a portion of the main region and may be a pair of bald regions that are substantially free of fastening elements.

Abstract: A storage/dispensing assembly, e.g., a roll or stack, of loop fastener material such as is used in hook and loop fastening system comprising one or more multilayer sheets of loop fastener material arranged such that the adhesive layer of an overlying portion of the loop fastener material is in direct contact with the loop layer of an underlying portion of the loop fastener material. The loops are such that, when the overlying portion of the loop fastener material is removed from the assembly, the loops of the underlying portion are presented in an engagable state. Also, a method for dispensing such loop material from such assemblies such that as the adhesive layer of the overlying portion is separated from the loops of the underlying portion, the loops of the underlying portion are presented in an engagable state.

Abstract: An interengaging fastener is provided including two fastener members and structure for locating one fastener member with respect to the other fastener member. In one embodiment, the locating structure includes a protrusion extending from one fastener member and an opening formed in the other fastener member.

Abstract: A pair of socks 11, each sock 11 having a tab 12 attached to it along one edge 13 of the tab 12 with the tab 12 acting as a flap is disclosed. The tab 12 and sock 11 have on their adjacent surfaces, a fastening means comprising a complementary arrangement of hook and pile patches 15a and 15b which are mateable so that the tab 12 is fastened to the sock 11 when the sock is being worn, and wherein the complementary arrangement of hook and pile patches 15a and 15b on each tab 12 and sock 11 is also mateable with the complementary arrangement of hook and pile patches 15a and 15b on the other tab 12 and sock 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component of the present invention is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. Each zone has certain of the desired individual characteristics for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the "entanglement" zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the "spacing" zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone for providing a foundation for the entanglement and spacing zones.

Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: Provided is mixed hook/loop separable fasteners comprising a base fabric provided on one surface thereof intermixedly with a multiplicity of hook-like fastening elements and a multiplicity of loop-like fastening elements; said hook-like fastening elements having a height of 1.3 to 3.8 mm and said loop-like fastening elements having a height of 1.5 to 4 mm and larger by 0.2 to 2.0 mm than the height of said hook-like fastening elements, and said hook-like fastening elements and loop-like fastening elements being provided in a density of 40 to 120 pieces/cm.sup.2 with the ratio of the number of said hook-like fastening elements to the total being 40 to 60%.Also provided are process for producing the above separable fasteners, as well as their use.

Abstract: A male separable fastening component has a base and, provided thereon, a multiplicity of independent fastening elements, the fastening elements each comprising a bundle of raised fibers with a grape cluster-like aggregate of swollen heads consolidated together by fusion of the fiber ends and a trunk having a shape tightening at the root and broadening towards the swollen heads-aggregate; and a separable fastener utilizes this type separable fastening component.

Abstract: A woven, self-engaging fastener with upright, mushroom-shaped, monofilament engaging elements that are in a thermally relaxed, stress-reduced condition. The engaging elements are arranged in a twill-like pattern such that weft-wise adjacent engaging elements are aligned diagonally to the weaving direction, and with sufficient density to enable the fastener to function as a self-engaging fastener.The fastener is produced by weaving a three-dimensional, double plush weave having two layers of interwoven warp and weft threads, and monofilament fibers interwoven with and passing back and forth between the two layers. The monofilament fibers are relaxed by heating, then severed between the two layers.

Abstract: The invention is a hook fastening material for use with a complementary loop fastening material, which hook fastening material has from about 1600 to about 2500 prongs per square inch and is substantially non-abrasive and non-irritating to human skin. In one embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs with an engaging means at an angle of about 90.degree. to about 160.degree. relative to the extension of the perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. In another embodiment the hook fastening material is formed on a compressible substrate. In still another embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs made of an ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer or a polyethylene based polymer. Methods for making such hook fastening materials and articles of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A warp-knit cloth for a surface fastener, comprising: a foundation design knitted of pile knitting yarns and foundation yarns so as to form pile loops, which serve as engaging elements of the surface fastener, on wales; a marquisette design in which inlaid yarn extend in the wale direction and course direction so as to form squared meshes, which serve as vents, between said wales.

Abstract: Mixed hook/loop separable fasteners comprise a base fabric provided on one surface thereof intermixedly with a multiplicity of hook-like fastening elements and a multiplicity of loop-like fastening elements. The hook-like fastening elements having a height of 1.3 to 3.8 mm and the loop-like fastening elements have a height of 1.5 to 4 mm and larger by 0.2 to 2.0 mm than the height of the hook-like fastening elements. The hook-like fastening elements and loop-like fastening elements being provided in a density of 40 to 120 pieces/cm.sup.2. Also provided is a process for producing the above separable fasteners, as well as their use.

Abstract: A connector means comprising a plurality of parallel ridges configured so that inverted ridge means may be nested between and gripped by certain of the ridges. The connector means also includes means to confirm complete, adjusted interlock of the nested ridges. Also disclosed are products that would incorporate such connector means, and means to produce same.

Abstract: This invention describes a hook design for the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener system, and the hook strip made up of a multiplicity of such hooks projecting from a common base. The hook design encompasses a thickened stem portion projecting from the base and connecting to lobes of a crook portion at a neck. The stem portion is substantially thicker than the crook portion and terminates at the neck. The lobes and the stem are tapered whereby the hook can be easily withdrawn from its mold cavity during the molding operation. The hook is characterized by improved engageability and closure performance.

Abstract: A female component is provided for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component comprises a nonwoven web secured to a backing. The nonwoven web has characteristics that are specifically suited for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. The nonwoven web has a basis weight of between about 6 and about 42 grams/meter.sup.2. The nonwoven web may comprise, among other types of nonwovens, a carded web with fibers between about 2.5 cm. and about 13 cm. long, or a spunbonded web with continuous length fibers. The denier of the fibers should be between about 0.5 and about 15. The total area occupied by any bonds between the fibers comprising the nonwoven web is less than about six percent of the total area of the web. The nonwoven web is secured to the backing, preferably autogeneously.

Abstract: A process for making a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising the steps of providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a diameter of between about 0.008 inches to about 0.040 inches; providing a molten thermally sensitive material having a storage modulus less than about 5000 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at the application temperature and a storage modulus of at least about 1.times.10.sup.6 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at a temperature no more than 40.degree.

Abstract: Mixed hook/loop separable fasteners comprise a base fabric provided on one surface thereof intermixedly with a multiplicity of hook-like fastening elements and a multiplicity of loop-like fastening elements. The hook-like fastening elements having a height of 1.3 to 3.8 mm and the loop-like fastening elements having a height of 1.5 to 4 mm and larger by 0.2 to 2.0 mm than the height of the hook-like fastening elements. The hook-like fastening elements and loop-like fastening elements being provided in a density of 40 to 120 pieces/cm.sup.2 with the ratio of the number of the hook-like fastening elements to the total being 40 to 60%. Also provided is a process for producing the above separable fasteners, as well as their use.

Abstract: A closure device for joining two surfaces, which is easily engageable and disengageable but provides a firm lock when closed, comprises two substrates, one of the substrates having a plurality of expandable and contractible openings which lie in the plane of the one substrate and the other one of the substrates having a corresponding plurality of fasteners, each comprising a stem attached at one of its ends to the other substrate and extending away from the surface thereof, the free end of the stem having an enlarged locking head having dimensions which are larger than the dimensions of the openings when contracted but sufficiently small to freely pass through the openings when expanded. The stem may also be provided with a plurality of locking projections along its length in order to assist or to replace the locking action of the locking head.

Abstract: A frame holder to which a heddle frame is coupled by a fastener operating in accordance with the toggle lever principle and pivotably mounted at the upper end of the frame holder by means of a pivot axis. The fastener includes a lever, consisting of two parallel levers, which is pivotable around a first pivot axis whereby an operating lever is pivotably mounted to its other end at a second pivot axis. A bolt which is pivotably arranged on this axis is located in the operating lever which is structured as a hollow rod. Due to elongate holes formed in the hollow rod and through which the axis extends the hollow rod is longitudinally displaceable relative to the bolt.

Abstract: An improved releasably securable fastening system for attaching to a complementary receiving surface is disclosed. The fastening system features an engaging means in the form of a hook-shaped tine. The engaging means is longitudinally spaced away from, or above, a substrate by an upstanding shank. The engaging means forms an included angle, relative to the perpendicular from the plane of the substrate, which is greater than 180.degree. so that the engaging means has a reentrant segment. The reentrant segment of the engaging means provides for more effective securing of the fastening system to a receiving surface. An engaging means having an included angle greater than 180.degree. provides improved resistance to forces which cause separation of the engaging means from the receiving surface.

Abstract: A disposable garment or diaper having a fastener including fastener portions adapted for releasably mechanically engaging each other; and a bonding layer of room-temperature non-tacky thermoplastic material adhering one of the fastener portions to a thin polyolefin layer of the garment and being bonded to that polyolefin layer under heat and pressure that leaves the polyolefin layer substantially undeformed. The bonding layer holds the fastener portion to the polyolefin film with greater force than that which is required to separate the engaged fastener so that the fastener may be repetitively closed and opened.

Abstract: Described herein is a male fastener strip having a multitude of hooking elements on one side of substrate cloth, which is characterized in that the individual hooking elements are spaced from adjacent hooking elements by X(mm) and Y(mm) in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the fastener strip, respectively, such that X is between 2.0 and 4.0 mm, inclusive and X/Y is in the range of 0.5 to 3.5.

Abstract: A conductive sheath for electrical cable including fasteners with hooks that hold together a conductive shield. This design accommodates all cables bundle diameters and is easily installed even after the cables have already been installed.

Abstract: A securement system of the type for mounting an object, such as a hammock, snow skis or the like to a support member or to one another including an elongated flexible body member having inner and outer sections. The inner section including a portion made from a polymeric fabric material and a frictional gripping member made from a rubber material having angularly disposed corrugations adapted for frictional gripping engagement with the support member, and the outer section including Velcro mating portions to provide a coupling for holding the body member in a closed condition.

Abstract: An improvement is provided for a releasable, flexible fabric hook and loop fastener having a pair of strap ends which are adapted for mutually releasable interengagement to form a loop when disposed in facing, overlapping arrangement in contact with each other. According to the improvement, the contact surface on the innermost of the strap ends does not extend to the extremity of the strap end, but terminates short of it, thereby defining a tip which is not engageable with the contact surface of the outermost strap end. When the outermost strap end is peeled away from the innermost strap end, the tip on the innermost stap end allows the contact surfaces to separate cleanly so that the fastener can be opened with one hand.

Abstract: A fabric fastener suitable for industrial use such as for fixing a porous working element to a rotor of a polisher, in which a male member has at least two groups of projections on one surface thereof, a first group having a hook or mushroom shape and a second group having a straight needle shape and a taller height than the projection of the first group, thereby the needle shape projection positively penetrates the interior of the porous mating member, while the hook or mushroom shape projection passively engages with a recess or a gap of the mating member, thus ensuring a proper engagement between both members.

Abstract: A single tape fastener construction comprises an elongated tape having a plurality of alternating strips of hook and pile members. Each strip is disposed in an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal edge of the tape.A method for fabricating a closure using such tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved foot piece for use with a surfboard type water craft that has a flat top surface which is equipped with a loop bearing surface component having a generally planar outwardly and upwardly facing surface portion with a multitude of small, closely spaced, flexible loop elements has one or more flat flexible surface components with an outwardly facing surface portion that is equipped with a multitude of small, stiff, closely spaced and outwardly projecting linear elements. The flexible surface components are fixed to the outside surface of the foot piece, preferably to both the bottom and side surface portions that underlie the sole and are at the instep side of a user's foot in the foot piece.

Abstract: A warp knit, weft inserted lap side loop pile fabric for use as the loop, fabric for an article of manufacture which has hooks thereon to engage the loops to hold the article of manufacture in a pre-selected position. In one form of the invention the lap side loop pile fabric is coated with an acrylic latex to provide strength and rigidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot melt adhesive attachment pad for releasably securing distinct elements together and particularly useful in the construction industry or a spatial vacuum environment. The attachment pad consists primarily of a cloth 11 selectively impregnated with a charge of hot melt adhesive 12, a thermo-foil heater 13 and a thermo-cooler 14. These components are securely mounting in a mounting assembly 17 and 18. In operation, the operator activates the heating cycle transforming the hot melt adhesive to a substantially liquid state, positions the pad against the attachment surface, and activates the cooling cycle solidifying the adhesive and forming a strong, releasable bond.